Walking Across Your River
“…and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), 16 that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam…” Joshua 3:15-16 NKJV
What are you stressing over as you begin today? Whether your worries revolve around finances, health issues, or emotional issues, there is a truth from Joshua chapter three that applies to you and your situation. It is the chapter that describes the long-awaited crossing from the wilderness to the Promised Land over the Jordan River. Here is how it applies to your life situation. The Israelites had wandered for 40 years in the wilderness, always longing for the unfulfilled promise of the Promised Land. They have finally arrived and are about to cross over the last barrier, the Jordan River.
In your life, whatever is keeping you from being victorious is your wilderness. It feels barren, hopeless and never-ending. But you know there is a Promised Land of deliverance, you just need to know how to cross over so that you can enter into it. Chapter three tells us of the 12 priests carried the Ark of the Covenant to the Jordan River and when the soles of their feet touched the water, the flow of the river stopped in “a heap” allowing the Israelites to enter into the Promised Land. It is important to understand that the Ark of the Covenant represents the Word of God.
They did not have the New Testament, the works of the prophets, or even the Old Testament as we know it. They had the Ten Commandments. That was the Word that they had and it was housed in the Ark. The Ark was also the place of the Mercy Seat which was the foreshadowing of Jesus who is, of course, The Word. So, the Ark or the Word had to cross over the Jordan before the people crossed. Herein is our first lesson. Let the Word go before you in the situations that you face. Speak the Word and send it out to prepare the way for your victory. The Word is your bridge over the Jordan, the key to your entering into the Promised Land. Have you been in the wilderness too long? Let the Word lead you into your Promised Land.
The miracle of the Jordan River stopping its flow only happened when the Word was applied with faith action. The Jordan did not cease from its flow until the feet of the Priests touched the water. It probably looked hopeless to the Priests as they headed for the river. But they believed and applied the Word to what hindered them. That faith action caused the river to stop so they could enter in. When you apply the Word to your circumstances with some action you will see what hinders you removed powerfully, but the Word must go first.
The final verse in chapter three says “And while all Israel passed over on dry ground, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.” The Priests stood until the all had crossed. Apply the promises of God to your situation and then do not relent. Like the Priests, we need to stand until you have fully entered into your Promised Land of deliverance! It will work for you so have hope and apply the Word. Watch your finances, your physical and emotional problems all fall aside
J Todd Hostetler